International Studies, BA

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This major is administered by the Department of History and International Studies .

International Studies represents a uniquely interdisciplinary major that provides professional training for competitive careers in the global economy. This major aligns with outcomes for international cultural studies and global competency as defined by the Programme for International Student Assessment created by the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development. Our major thus emphasizes cultural knowledge, language skills, intercultural communication, international historical perspectives, global affairs, and critical thinking. Our recent graduates serve as directors of study abroad offices at major institutions, leaders in international non-profit organizations, lawyers and foreign service officers, and project managers for multi-national corporations.

Program Learning Outcomes

With diligent effort, as a globally competent student, you will demonstrate your ability to:

Investigate the world beyond the U.S., identify significant international issues, and conduct well-crafted, level-appropriate, interdisciplinary research
Recognize perspectives, others’ and your own, articulate and explain such perspectives thoughtfully and respectfully
Communicate ideas effectively with diverse audiences, bridging geographic, linguistic, ideological, and cultural barriers
Take action to improve conditions, viewing yourselves as players in the world, and participating reflectively

Consists of 42 credits plus world language requirement.

Foundational courses, 15 credits

FLNG 101 - Intercultural Communication and Global Citizenship Credits: 3 or
PHIL 121 - Critical Thinking Credits: 3
FLNG 250 - Introduction to World Languages Credits: 3 or
FLNG 252 - Media Arts in World Cultures Credits: 3 or
REL 100 - Religions of Asia Credits: 3 or
REL 101 - Judaism, Christianity, Islam Credits: 3
HIST 100 - Historical Thinking Credits: 3 or (Global Cultural Concepts, or appropriate subtitle)
HIST 101 - World History to 1500 Credits: 3 or
HIST 102 - World History Since 1500 Credits: 3
HIST 204 - Modern Global Environmental History Credits: 3 or
GEOG 100 - Human Impacts on the Physical Environment Credits: 3 or
GEOG 115 - World Regional Geography Credits: 3 or
GEOG 120 - Human Geography Credits: 3
POLI 160 - Comparative Politics Credits: 3 or
POLI 180 - Introduction to Global Affairs Credits: 3

Language requirement, 0-16 credits

Native Language is English

If your native language is English, complete the BA language requirement plus 2 additional semesters in one world language OR test out of the fourth semester of a world language.

Native Language is Not English

If your native language is not English, you may use English to fulfill the language requirement by completing:

ENGL 202 - Academic Writing and Research Credits: 3 or
ENGL 150 - Accelerated Reading, Writing, and Research Credits: 3

Interdisciplinary Methods and Professional Research, 6 credits

INTL 200 - Interdisciplinary Approaches to Global Issues Credits: 3
HIST 400 - Seminar Project Credits: 3 (International History, or appropriate subtitle) or
INTL 480 - Senior Seminar Credits: 3

International Cultural Studies, 9 credits

9 credits total, 6 credits numbered 300 and above. Courses used to fulfill requirements in the Foundation category may not count twice to fulfill requirements in this category.

History and International Studies, 3 credits

HIST 203 - Peace and Nonviolence in the Twentieth Century Credits: 3
HIST 204 - Modern Global Environmental History Credits: 3
HIST 206 - Medicine in World History Credits: 3
HIST 207 - Global Natural Histories Credits: 3
HIST 208 - Modern Revolutions Credits: 3
HIST 209 - The World Wars Credits: 3
HIST 210 - History of Science and Technology Credits: 3
HIST 211 - Labor and Labor Movements in the United States and Europe Credits: 3
HIST 214 - United States and the World Credits: 3
HIST 215 - Topics in Global and Comparative History Credits: 3
HIST 216 - East Asia to 1600 Credits: 3
HIST 217 - East Asia Since 1600 Credits: 3
HIST 220 - Southeast Asia Credits: 3
HIST 223 - Topics in East Asian History Credits: 3
HIST 232 - Medieval and Early Modern Middle East Credits: 3
HIST 233 - Modern Middle East Credits: 3
HIST 239 - Topics in Middle Eastern History Credits: 3
HIST 240 - Africa to 1800 Credits: 3
HIST 241 - Africa since 1800 Credits: 3
HIST 247 - Topics in African History Credits: 3
HIST 248 - Colonial Latin America Credits: 2 or 3
HIST 249 - Modern Latin America Credits: 3
HIST 255 - Topics in Latin American History Credits: 3
HIST 256 - Europe to 1500 Credits: 3
HIST 257 - Europe since 1500 Credits: 3
HIST 274 - Topics in European History Credits: 3
HIST 302 - War and Propaganda in the 20th Century Credits: 3
HIST 303 - United States and the World Credits: 3
HIST 304 - History of Climate Change Credits: 3
HIST 305 - The History of Astronomy Credits: 3
HIST 306 - The Human Age Credits: 3
HIST 307 - Vietnam Wars Credits: 3
HIST 312 - The Darwinian Revolution Credits: 3
HIST 313 - History of Islam Credits: 3
HIST 314 - Islam in the Modern World Credits: 3
HIST 315 - Topics in Global and Comparative History Credits: 3
HIST 316 - History of China Credits: 3
HIST 317 - History of Japan Credits: 3
HIST 318 - Images of the Samurai Credits: 3
HIST 323 - Topics in East Asian History Credits: 3
HIST 332 - Middle Eastern Women’s History Credits: 3
HIST 338 - The Arab-Israeli Conflict Credits: 3
HIST 339 - Topics in Middle Eastern History Credits: 3
HIST 347 - Topics in African History Credits: 3
HIST 348 - History of the Modern Caribbean Credits: 3
HIST 351 - History of Mexico Credits: 3
HIST 355 - Topics in Latin American History Credits: 3
HIST 356 - The Renaissance Credits: 3
HIST 357 - The Reformation Credits: 3
HIST 358 - England to the 18th Century Credits: 3
HIST 359 - Modern Britain Credits: 3
HIST 360 - Modern Ireland Credits: 3
HIST 361 - France: Enlightenment, Revolution, and Napoleon Credits: 3
HIST 363 - Modern Germany Credits: 3
HIST 364 - The Holocaust Credits: 3
HIST 367 - Habsburg History, 1526-1918 Credits: 3
HIST 369 - Topics in European History Credits: 3
HIST 370 - Eastern Europe in the 20th Century Credits: 3
HIST 372 - Russian History and Civilization Credits: 3
HIST 373 - Soviet Union Credits: 3
HIST 396 - Regional History through Study Abroad Credits: 3
HIST 450 - Public Internship Credits: 1-12
INTL 150 - Humanity and the Global Environment Credits: 3
INTL 391 - Special Topics Credits: 1-12
INTL 395 - Internship Credits: 1-12
INTL 399 - Independent Study Credits: 1-3

Religious Studies and Philosophy, 3 credits

PHIL 100 - Introduction to Philosophy Credits: 3
PHIL 101 - Introduction to Ethics in Society Credits: 3
PHIL 105 - Philosophy and Religion of India and China Credits: 3
PHIL 121 - Critical Thinking Credits: 3
PHIL 230 - Philosophy of Human Nature: Eastern and Western Credits: 3
PHIL 325 - Ancient Greek Philosophy Credits: 3
PHIL 326 - 17th and 18th Century Philosophy Credits: 3
PHIL 327 - 19th and 20th Century Philosophy Credits: 3
PHIL 330 - Existential Philosophy Credits: 3
REL 100 - Religions of Asia Credits: 3
REL 101 - Judaism, Christianity, Islam Credits: 3
REL 202 - Introduction to the Study of Religion Credits: 3
REL 302 - Religion and Cultural Conflict Credits: 3
REL 303 - Jewish Scriptures Credits: 3
REL 304 - New Testament and Early Christianity Credits: 3
REL 305 - Prophets and Prophecy Credits: 3
REL 307 - Religion and Health Credits: 3
REL 318 - Religion and Popular Culture Credits: 3
REL 321 - Studies in Religion Credits: 3
REL 330 - Women and Religion Credits: 3
REL 333 - Women and Goddesses in India Credits: 3
REL 340 - Buddhism Credits: 3
REL 341 - Religions of India Credits: 3
REL 342 - Islam Credits: 3
REL 343 - Judaism Credits: 3
REL 344 - Christianity Credits: 3
REL 345 - Religion and Ecology Credits: 3
REL 350 - Religion and Film Credits: 3
REL 363 - Religion and Society in Ancient Israel Credits: 3

World Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, 3 credits

You may not use the same course counted towards a requirement in another category in the major to count for this category as well.

You may take any 300-level or above course in a world language (Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, and Russian) OR any of the following courses:

CMLT 102 - Masterpieces of the Western World Credits: 3
CMLT 235 - Non-Western Folklore Credits: 3
CMLT 350 - Special Problems Credits: 3
ENGL 211 - English Literature I Credits: 3
ENGL 212 - English Literature II Credits: 3
ENGL 240 - Introduction to Linguistics Credits: 3
ENGL 311 - English Novel (British) Credits: 3
ENGL 321 - English Literature to 1485 Credits: 3
ENGL 323 - British Literature Before 1790, Excluding Drama Credits: 3
ENGL 324 - Romantic Movement (British) Credits: 3
ENGL 325 - Victorian Literature (British) Credits: 3
ENGL 327 - Victorian Literature in Transition (British) Credits: 3
ENGL 330 - Chaucer (British) Credits: 3
ENGL 333 - Early Shakespeare Credits: 3
ENGL 334 - Later Shakespeare Credits: 3
ENGL 336 - Milton (British) Credits: 3
ENGL 340 - Language, Gender, and Sexuality Credits: 3
ENGL 341 - Invented Languages Credits: 3
ENGL 342 - English Grammars Credits: 3
ENGL 344 - History of the English Language Credits: 3
ENGL 346 - Old English Credits: 3
ENGL 361 - World Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 362 - World Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 364 - Canadian Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 366 - English Drama to Shaw (British) Credits: 3
ENGL 374 - Postcolonial Literature in English Credits: 3
FLED 333 - Teaching Second Languages Credits: 3
FLED 344 - Teaching English as a Second Language Credits: 3
FLED 345 - Methods in Bilingual Education Credits: 1-3
FLED 397 - Practicum Credits: 1-3
FLED 398 - Student Teaching in Foreign Language Credits: 1-16
FLED 399 - Special Work Credits: 1-3
FLED 400 - Seminar on Teaching for Student Teachers Credits: 1-2
FLED 498 - Intern Teaching Credits: 1-16
FLNG 100 - Basic Conversation Skills Credits: 1-3
FLNG 101 - Intercultural Communication and Global Citizenship Credits: 3
FLNG 199 - Independent Study Credits: 1-4
FLNG 250 - Introduction to World Languages Credits: 3
FLNG 252 - Media Arts in World Cultures Credits: 3
FLNG 340 - Special Language Studies Credits: 1-3
FLNG 381 - Culture and Civilization Credits: 2-3
FLNG 399 - Independent Study Credits: 1-4

Global and Intercultural Competency, 12 credits

12 credits total with 9 credits at the 300-level or above. You may not use the same course counted towards a requirement in another category in the major to count for this category as well.

You may take any 300-level or above course in a world language (Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, and Russian) OR the following courses:

ANTH 110 - Cultural Anthropology Credits: 3
ANTH 320 - Anthropology of Religion Credits: 3
ANTH 325 - Culture and Language Credits: 3
ART 111 - Introduction to Global Art History I Credits: 3
ART 112 - Introduction to Global Art History II Credits: 3
ART 170 - Survey of Asian Art I Credits: 3
ART 171 - Survey of Asian Art II Credits: 3
ART 370 - Early Chinese Art and Archaeology Credits: 3
ART 371 - Early Imperial Chinese Art Credits: 3
ART 372 - Late Imperial Chinese Art Credits: 3
ART 373 - The Rise of Modernism in Chinese Art Credits: 3
ART 375 - History of Japanese Painting and Woodblock Prints Credits: 3
ART 378 - Art Along the Ancient Silk Roads Credits: 3
ART 379 - Topics in Modern and Contemporary Asian Art Credits: 3
ART 385 - History of Renaissance Art Credits: 3
ART 386 - Italian and Northern Renaissance Art II, 1450-1600 Credits: 3
ART 387 - History of Baroque and Rococo Art Credits: 3
ART 388 - History of Neo-Classical and Romantic Art Credits: 3
ART 389 - History of 19th-Century Art Credits: 3
ART 392 - History of 20th-Century Art Credits: 3
ART 397 - Art History in International Programs Credits: 3
BUS 293 - Internship in China Credits: 3
BUS 327 - Managing Global Organizations Credits: 3
BUS 339 - International Marketing Credits: 3
BUS 342 - International Business Law Credits: 3
BUS 357 - International Corporate Finance Credits: 3
BUS 493 - Internship in China Credits: 3
ECON 110 - Principles of Macroeconomics Credits: 3
ECON 362 - Economic Development Credits: 3
ECON 365 - International Economics Credits: 3
ENGL 211 - English Literature I Credits: 3
ENGL 212 - English Literature II Credits: 3
ENGL 240 - Introduction to Linguistics Credits: 3
ENGL 311 - English Novel (British) Credits: 3
ENGL 321 - English Literature to 1485 Credits: 3
ENGL 323 - British Literature Before 1790, Excluding Drama Credits: 3
ENGL 324 - Romantic Movement (British) Credits: 3
ENGL 325 - Victorian Literature (British) Credits: 3
ENGL 327 - Victorian Literature in Transition (British) Credits: 3
ENGL 330 - Chaucer (British) Credits: 3
ENGL 333 - Early Shakespeare Credits: 3
ENGL 334 - Later Shakespeare Credits: 3
ENGL 336 - Milton (British) Credits: 3
ENGL 340 - Language, Gender, and Sexuality Credits: 3
ENGL 341 - Invented Languages Credits: 3
ENGL 342 - English Grammars Credits: 3
ENGL 344 - History of the English Language Credits: 3
ENGL 346 - Old English Credits: 3
ENGL 361 - World Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 362 - World Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 364 - Canadian Literature Credits: 3
ENGL 366 - English Drama to Shaw (British) Credits: 3
ENGL 374 - Postcolonial Literature in English Credits: 3
FLED 333 - Teaching Second Languages Credits: 3
FLED 344 - Teaching English as a Second Language Credits: 3
FLED 345 - Methods in Bilingual Education Credits: 1-3
FLED 397 - Practicum Credits: 1-3
FLED 398 - Student Teaching in Foreign Language Credits: 1-16
FLED 399 - Special Work Credits: 1-3
FLED 400 - Seminar on Teaching for Student Teachers Credits: 1-2
FLED 498 - Intern Teaching Credits: 1-16
FLNG 100 - Basic Conversation Skills Credits: 1-3
FLNG 101 - Intercultural Communication and Global Citizenship Credits: 3
FLNG 199 - Independent Study Credits: 1-4
FLNG 250 - Introduction to World Languages Credits: 3
FLNG 252 - Media Arts in World Cultures Credits: 3
FLNG 340 - Special Language Studies Credits: 1-3
FLNG 381 - Culture and Civilization Credits: 2-3
FLNG 399 - Independent Study Credits: 1-4
GEOG 115 - World Regional Geography Credits: 3
GEOG 120 - Human Geography Credits: 3
GEOG 317 - Africa Credits: 3
HIST 203 - Peace and Nonviolence in the Twentieth Century Credits: 3
HIST 204 - Modern Global Environmental History Credits: 3
HIST 206 - Medicine in World History Credits: 3
HIST 207 - Global Natural Histories Credits: 3
HIST 208 - Modern Revolutions Credits: 3
HIST 209 - The World Wars Credits: 3
HIST 210 - History of Science and Technology Credits: 3
HIST 211 - Labor and Labor Movements in the United States and Europe Credits: 3
HIST 214 - United States and the World Credits: 3
HIST 215 - Topics in Global and Comparative History Credits: 3
HIST 216 - East Asia to 1600 Credits: 3
HIST 217 - East Asia Since 1600 Credits: 3
HIST 220 - Southeast Asia Credits: 3
HIST 223 - Topics in East Asian History Credits: 3
HIST 232 - Medieval and Early Modern Middle East Credits: 3
HIST 233 - Modern Middle East Credits: 3
HIST 239 - Topics in Middle Eastern History Credits: 3
HIST 240 - Africa to 1800 Credits: 3
HIST 241 - Africa since 1800 Credits: 3
HIST 247 - Topics in African History Credits: 3
HIST 248 - Colonial Latin America Credits: 2 or 3
HIST 249 - Modern Latin America Credits: 3
HIST 255 - Topics in Latin American History Credits: 3
HIST 256 - Europe to 1500 Credits: 3
HIST 257 - Europe since 1500 Credits: 3
HIST 274 - Topics in European History Credits: 3
HIST 302 - War and Propaganda in the 20th Century Credits: 3
HIST 303 - United States and the World Credits: 3
HIST 304 - History of Climate Change Credits: 3
HIST 305 - The History of Astronomy Credits: 3
HIST 306 - The Human Age Credits: 3
HIST 307 - Vietnam Wars Credits: 3
HIST 312 - The Darwinian Revolution Credits: 3
HIST 313 - History of Islam Credits: 3
HIST 314 - Islam in the Modern World Credits: 3
HIST 315 - Topics in Global and Comparative History Credits: 3
HIST 316 - History of China Credits: 3
HIST 317 - History of Japan Credits: 3
HIST 318 - Images of the Samurai Credits: 3
HIST 323 - Topics in East Asian History Credits: 3
HIST 332 - Middle Eastern Women’s History Credits: 3
HIST 338 - The Arab-Israeli Conflict Credits: 3
HIST 339 - Topics in Middle Eastern History Credits: 3
HIST 347 - Topics in African History Credits: 3
HIST 348 - History of the Modern Caribbean Credits: 3
HIST 351 - History of Mexico Credits: 3
HIST 355 - Topics in Latin American History Credits: 3
HIST 356 - The Renaissance Credits: 3
HIST 357 - The Reformation Credits: 3
HIST 358 - England to the 18th Century Credits: 3
HIST 359 - Modern Britain Credits: 3
HIST 360 - Modern Ireland Credits: 3
HIST 361 - France: Enlightenment, Revolution, and Napoleon Credits: 3
HIST 363 - Modern Germany Credits: 3
HIST 364 - The Holocaust Credits: 3
HIST 367 - Habsburg History, 1526-1918 Credits: 3
HIST 369 - Topics in European History Credits: 3
HIST 370 - Eastern Europe in the 20th Century Credits: 3
HIST 372 - Russian History and Civilization Credits: 3
HIST 373 - Soviet Union Credits: 3
HIST 396 - Regional History through Study Abroad Credits: 3
INTL 098 - International Study Credits: 0
INTL 150 - Humanity and the Global Environment Credits: 3
INTL 300 - International Study Tour Credits: 1-3
INTL 310 - International Service Learning Credits: 1-6
INTL 381 - Culture and Civilization Credits: 2-3
INTL 391 - Special Topics Credits: 1-12
INTL 395 - Internship Credits: 1-12
INTL 399 - Independent Study Credits: 1-3
MSTU 327 - Culinary Journalism: Food & Wines of the World Credits: 3
MSTU 360 - Film History: Beginning to 1945 Credits: 3
MSTU 361 - Film History: 1945 to Present Credits: 3
MSTU 367 - International Media Credits: 3
MSTU 485 - Externship in Media Studies - London Credits: 6
NRES 220 - Global Climate Change and Water Resources, 10th Century to Present Credits: 3
NRES 323 - International Resource Management Credits: 3
NRES 475 - International Field Experiences in Natural Resources Management Credits: 1-8
NRES 479 - International Environmental Studies Seminar Credits: 1-6
PAX 200 - Dilemmas of War and Peace: An Introduction to Peace Studies Credits: 3
PHIL 100 - Introduction to Philosophy Credits: 3
PHIL 101 - Introduction to Ethics in Society Credits: 3
PHIL 105 - Philosophy and Religion of India and China Credits: 3
PHIL 121 - Critical Thinking Credits: 3
PHIL 230 - Philosophy of Human Nature: Eastern and Western Credits: 3
PHIL 325 - Ancient Greek Philosophy Credits: 3
PHIL 326 - 17th and 18th Century Philosophy Credits: 3
PHIL 327 - 19th and 20th Century Philosophy Credits: 3
PHIL 330 - Existential Philosophy Credits: 3
POLI 285 - Politics of World Inequality and Development Credits: 3
POLI 361 - European Politics Credits: 3
POLI 362 - East European Politics Credits: 3
POLI 363 - The Politics of the European Union Credits: 3
POLI 370 - Asian Politics Credits: 3
POLI 374 - International Development Credits: 3
POLI 375 - Latin American Politics Credits: 3
POLI 382 - Latin America in World Affairs Credits: 3
POLI 383 - U.S. Foreign Policy Credits: 3
POLI 385 - International Organizations and Law Credits: 3
POLI 386 - Politics of Terrorism and Homeland Security Credits: 3
POLI 387 - International Simulation Credits: 1-3
POLI 388 - International Law and Human Rights Credits: 3
POLI 394 - Political Ideas that Changed the World Credits: 3
POLI 396 - Radical and Utopian Politics Credits: 3
REL 100 - Religions of Asia Credits: 3
REL 101 - Judaism, Christianity, Islam Credits: 3
REL 202 - Introduction to the Study of Religion Credits: 3
REL 302 - Religion and Cultural Conflict Credits: 3
REL 303 - Jewish Scriptures Credits: 3
REL 304 - New Testament and Early Christianity Credits: 3
REL 305 - Prophets and Prophecy Credits: 3
REL 307 - Religion and Health Credits: 3
REL 318 - Religion and Popular Culture Credits: 3
REL 321 - Studies in Religion Credits: 3
REL 330 - Women and Religion Credits: 3
REL 333 - Women and Goddesses in India Credits: 3
REL 340 - Buddhism Credits: 3
REL 341 - Religions of India Credits: 3
REL 342 - Islam Credits: 3
REL 343 - Judaism Credits: 3
REL 344 - Christianity Credits: 3
REL 345 - Religion and Ecology Credits: 3
REL 350 - Religion and Film Credits: 3
REL 363 - Religion and Society in Ancient Israel Credits: 3
RUSS 315 - Continuing Russian Credits: 4
SOC 205 - Global Social Problems Credits: 3
SOC 360 - Population Problems Credits: 3
SOC 370 - Sociology of Globalization Credits: 3